Global warming is one of the most serious issues that the world is facing today. What are the causes of global warming and what measures can governments and individuals take to tackle the issue?
Sample Response
Probably the most worrying threat to our planet at the present time is global warming. This essay will examine the reasons why global warming is occurring and discuss some possible solutions.
The predominant factors resulting in the warming of the earth are the emissions of CO2 and deforestation. CO2, which damages the ozone layer, comes from several sources, but the most problematic are those coming from the burning of fossil fuels from power plants. This releases thousands of tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. Another cause of these emissions is the burning of gasoline for transportation, which continues to grow because of our demand for cars and also our increasing worldwide consumption, resulting in an escalating need to transport goods. Also, forests store large amounts of carbon, so deforestation is causing larger amounts of CO2 to remain in the atmosphere.
Nevertheless, there are potential ways to solve these problems, or at least reduce the effects. Firstly, governments need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and promote alternatives. Plant-derived plastics, biodiesel, wind power and solar power are all things that are a step in the right direction, but governments need to enforce the limits on CO2 emissions for the polluting industries in their countries for these to be effective. Also, individuals can play a part by making lifestyle changes. People should try to buy cars with the best fuel economy, and only use their car when really necessary. They can also switch to energy companies that use renewable energy rather than fossil fuels. Finally, small things like buying energy efficient light bulbs, turning off electricity in the house, and planting trees in the garden can help.
To conclude, although global warming is a serious issue, there are steps that governments and individuals can take to reduce its effects. If we are to save our planet, it is important that this is treated as a priority for all concerned.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Capitalize Earth Original: earth Suggested revision: Earth Why it matters: Use a capital letter when Earth is the name of the planet.
- 2. Correct the preposition Original: from Suggested revision: in Why it matters: The fuels are burned in power plants rather than originating from them.
- 3. Tighten the phrasing Original: because of our demand for cars and also our increasing worldwide consumption Suggested revision: because of growing demand for cars and rising worldwide consumption Why it matters: This version removes unnecessary possessives and expresses both trends more directly.
- 4. Use an uncountable form Original: larger amounts of CO2 Suggested revision: more CO2 Why it matters: More is the natural quantifier for the uncountable substance CO2.
- 5. Clarify the relationship Original: ways to solve these problems, or at least reduce the effects Suggested revision: ways to address these problems or at least reduce their effects Why it matters: Address avoids overstating the solutions, while their clearly refers back to the problems.
- 6. Remove wordiness Original: all things that are a step in the right direction Suggested revision: all steps in the right direction Why it matters: The shorter phrase conveys the same evaluation more naturally.
- 7. Remove unnecessary article Original: enforce the limits on CO2 emissions Suggested revision: enforce limits on CO2 emissions Why it matters: No previously specified set of limits is identified, so the definite article is unnecessary.
- 8. Generalize the noun phrase Original: for the polluting industries Suggested revision: for polluting industries Why it matters: The zero article is appropriate when referring to polluting industries in general.
- 9. Use natural wording Original: turning off electricity in the house Suggested revision: reducing household electricity use Why it matters: This phrase expresses the intended conservation measure more naturally.
- 10. Streamline the source phrase Original: those coming from the burning of Suggested revision: those produced by burning Why it matters: The revision states the source of the emissions more directly.
- 11. Use measured wording Original: an escalating need to transport goods Suggested revision: a growing need to transport goods Why it matters: Growing is a more natural and precise modifier for increasing transport demand.
- 12. Use precise collocation Original: buy cars with the best fuel economy Suggested revision: choose cars with high fuel efficiency Why it matters: High fuel efficiency expresses the desired characteristic more precisely.
Suggested Rewrites
- earth Earth
- from in
- because of our demand for cars and also our increasing worldwide consumption because of growing demand for cars and rising worldwide consumption
- larger amounts of CO2 more CO2
- ways to solve these problems, or at least reduce the effects ways to address these problems or at least reduce their effects
- all things that are a step in the right direction all steps in the right direction
Why this response received Band 8.0
This is a well-developed, focused response whose strongest feature is its clear coverage of both causes and actions by governments and individuals, supported with relevant detail. Its main limitation is occasional imprecision, particularly the claim connecting carbon dioxide directly to ozone-layer damage. Prioritise scientific accuracy and slightly sharper explanation of how each proposed measure reduces emissions to make an already strong argument more authoritative.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The response fully addresses the causes and both governmental and individual measures, developing each part with relevant explanation.
Check the factual accuracy of supporting claims and explain each measure's causal impact even more precisely.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through a clear introduction, focused body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion, with cohesive devices used effectively.
Refine a few long explanatory sequences so every link between cause, consequence, and solution is maximally direct.
Lexical Resource
A wide and precise vocabulary supports nuanced discussion of emissions, energy, transport, and environmental policy.
Replace occasional loose phrasing such as broad references to alternatives with more exact policy language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is handled accurately, and the response remains fluent and easy to follow throughout.
Continue refining article and modifier choices in dense sentences to sustain consistently polished control.
Write this task while it is fresh
Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.
IELTS Writing Task 2
Global warming is one of the most serious issues that the world is facing today. What are the causes of global warming and what measures can governments and individuals take to tackle the issue?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.